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SINGAPORE : The climate change talks held in Copenhagen last year weren't a complete failure but a chance for minds to meet, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
But Mr Lee does not think much will come out from the next round of talks to be held in Cancun, as long as countries like the US, China and India keep to their stand on the issue.
He was speaking at the 20th annual conference of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association on the theme "climate change and legal practice" - the first major event at the Marina Sands Convention Centre.
Mr Lee described climate change as something that has real consequences many years down the road.
"The biggest problem with Copenhagen (talks) is the US could not commit itself because it has to go through Congress, and the Americans are not prepared to say before hand we commit ourselves to reduction of "X" per cent of our carbon footprint, even if they were prepared to commit themselves," said MM Lee.
"I don't think the Chinese and the Indians would commit themselves. I see more dilly-dallying internationally with every country focused on its own internal problems. So we are into a very difficult, messy series of annual meetings," he added.
Elaborating on why climate change agreement did not materialise, Mr Lee said: "The problem is governments; the government stays in power not by promising to cut down growth rates, but by promising a better life… So the idea of taking tough action now against putting off to the future generation, the result is - let's put it off and talk about it."
Climate change was not the only issue participants at the Inter-Pacific Bar Association conference were interested in. They also wanted Mr Lee's views on the future of China and India, and whether the Doha Round of talks would move forward.
"I think the Doha Round is not going to go anywhere as long as this (US) Congress will not pass the laws," said Mr Lee.
And there was also the often asked question of how Singapore can help countries like China and India develop.
"The first thing you learn as a small country is to act small and humble. You go around telling people, they say you are out of your depth, you don't understand my problems. So we keep our mouth shut unless we are asked," said Mr Lee.
The four-day conference will also discuss the challenges posed by climate change to various sectors such as aviation. - CNA /ls
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